Trimming pistol rounds

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JAG2955

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So I believe that somewhere I read you don't need to trim pistol rounds after only one firing. Is this correct?

A related question is that if my case is slightly longer, should I adjust the recommended OAL to reflect the lengthened case, or just keep the OAL the same?

I've just reloaded my first nine rounds ever, and it appears that the LSWC could be seated slightly less deep, but then it would lengthen the OAL.

Thoughts?
 
yep. Most pistol cases don't stretch much. Especially after only one firing. Doesn't hurt to check 'em though.
"...adjust the recommended OAL..." No. Trim the cases so they're all the same length. Especially for semi-auto brass. With other brass, different length cases will give you loaded ammo with a different OAL for each loaded round.
 
case length does not effect oal at all unless you are seating you bullets flush with the case mouth (can't see why you would). as for pistol case triming, as long as they chamber there is no need.
 
If someone finds it unnecessary I'll agree with them for their loads. If someone wants to trim, I'll agree with that too. Truth is, sometimes I don't have time. When I do, I trim when cases are new because any stretching that occurs will be fairly uniform if cases were trimmed while new. And, it is not likely that they'll become too long unless they were to close to max. length when they were new, and that can happen. One situation where trimming is mandatory for me, is when building Magnum revolver rounds that might be used for game. When testing them, I want to know I've done everything possible to ensure accuracy of the round. If cases vary in length, your crimp will vary somewhat in tension. Maybe its nitpicken' but the results I get are worth the effort!;)
 
I never trim auto pistol rounds. With straight walled revolver rounds I size and then trim before I load them the first time for a consistent crimp and usually don't have to again.:)
 
Purchase a case gauge it will let you know if your loaded rounds are out of specification. A taper crimp die will take care of any crimp issue; I prefer the Lee factory crimp die. FWIW I’ve reloaded tens of thousands of pistol rounds and never trimmed a single one.
 
Purchase a case gauge it will let you know if your loaded rounds are out of specification. A taper crimp die will take care of any crimp issue; I prefer the Lee factory crimp die. FWIW I’ve reloaded tens of thousands of pistol rounds and never trimmed a single one.
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I read that with the lee factory crimp die that the length of the case isnt as important as normal in their instructions.

when you use the that factory crimp die, how do you keep the seating die from crimping? you back it out a turn after setting it in the press? I havent done it before obviously :)
 
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